taxotere and herceptin for new liver mets

[Karyn]

Hi
My mom was diagnosed with bc last march 2003 and just last week was diagnosed with multiple metatases to the liver. She is going to start Taxotere and Herceptin later this week. I have read most of the posts on this board and it sounds like the combo of these drugs has pretty positive results. My mom did have a/c for her initial treatment and she experienced extreme naseau as well as other effects. I am hoping this treatment is easier on her. My only concern is that last november she ended up in the hospital with heart failure due to the first round of chemo. She has been on heart meds since, and a recent check showed that her heart was fine. Will she be able to tolerate the herceptin? She is going to start getting treatment every 3 weeks, but I have been reading that some of you get it weekly and therefore the side effects are lessened. So I guess that might be an option for her. Is there anyone else out there who is on herceptin with known heart issues? Also, has anyone had good success with this treatment for their liver mets?

Thanks

Karyn

[Linda in TX]

I,too, was dx'd with liver mets last August and just finished 8 rounds of taxotere/herceptin. I received the taxotere every 3 weeks and was given the herceptin weekly. My liver tumor was 7cm at the time of dx and after 3 rounds of the combo my tumor had shrunk to 3cm. My scans at the end of the 8 rounds showed no evidence of disease in my liver...only a small mass that appeared to be scar tissue. Other than the usual hair loss, fatigue, minor neuropathy in my fingers and my nails peeling back a bit...I had no problems with the taxotere. I was also 52 when I started the treatments. They will definately want to monitor your Mom's heart function regularly as the herceptin can cause some problems...I continue on it every 3 weeks now. So far no problems there either. I just wanted you to know that the combo worked great for me and was definately worth the few problems I had. If taxotere doesn't work for her there are several other combos they can try until they find the "magic bullet" for her. My very best to your Mom. Please keep us posted on her progress.
Linda